Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-03-25
A SOUTH AMERICAN CITY

Messrs. David n. and Patrick Burke.
born in Middlebury, graduated from Mid
dlebury college in 1868 and 80, with
honor in their classes. Their residence
since has generally been within the Dor
ders of the Empire State, professionally
and successfully as teachers, but return
ing often to their home, both are highly
esteemed here. The appointment of con-
sui in Venezuela has transferred the older
brother to another sphere among stran-
gers. and the following letter, in answer
to one inviting first impressions there,
will be read with interest:
L. 5. CONSULATE,
PUERTO CABELLO, March ), 1887,
PHILIP BATTELL, ESQ, Mddlebury, Vt.
Ny Dear Sri assure you | was
agreeably surprised on receipt of your
esteemed favor of the 9Th ult., which
reached me on the 9th by the KS. S.
Valencia" | am not certain whether
you were born in Middlebury or not.
But know as far back as my called-up
memory runs, you were there. At least
you have proved yourself worthy of be-
longing to that State whose history is
peculiar one, that, believe, unlike any
of the original thirteen, was never de-
tendency; was power unto herself; ;
had her own constitution; was really a
republic before the adoption of the ma
tiOnal or Federal constitution and was
the very first to help to swell the great
sisterhood of States from l3 to IS. after
the ratification of that instrument. do
not know the history of the Green Noun
tain State as well as | do of the Empire
State, of which am now citizen-and
have been for nearly a score of years.
Many a time within the last few years
have passed from my adopted to my
native State across historic Champlain,
both when its sun-kissed waters laved
the base of the rugged Adirondacks and
when those waters, solid mass, were
held by the ice king, sometimes lingering
around northern homes too long to be
regarded a welcome guest.
thing of this place situated on the shore
of the blue Caribbean. The name in
English means hair port: hence Puerto
Cabello, because the water of the harbor
is so very calm always that steamship
might be moored by hair. The harbor
is also very easy to enter even for the
largest ships, and is so extensive that
hundreds of vessels may anchor in it and
the adjoining bay and still leave room
for hundreds more. On the opposite
side of the harbor from the city is an old
castillo, built by the Spaniards some 25C
years ago. On this little island whereor
the castillo is, and which is now used as
a prison-though sometimes it is a ball
emitting concern, is very fine light.
house, with a tower So feet high and in
it revolving light-a red and a white
light-which may be seen at a distance
of 10 nautical miles. Back of the city
! on an eminence, some 500 feet, is Fort
Guzman Blanco, overlooking the entire
bay, while some 800 feet above this is
another old castle built by the Spaniard:
many years after Columbus discovered
the Orinoco and while the govern.
ment of Spain was at the very highest
of its glory and its power. The view
from the sea looking towards the
city is certainly very fine; while yet 8
long distance from the harbor you see
the Cordilleras skirting along the coas
range after range higher rising till the
highest peaks are lost in the clouds. APP
preaching nearer, the lighthouse stands
boldly forward on the very edge of Puer
to Bravo, against which with impetuoui
+ roar the foaming surges break and dasl
their spray in vain. Now your eye rest
, upon the old castillo with its turret
, crowned pinnacles, its sentry towers an,
its massive walls telling the story o
, Spanish glory and Spanish decay. Pres
emily within the field of your vision an
cient-looking, curiously-constructed, low
sized buildings appear; their tiled roof
with mosses gray and green overgrown
while punched among them here anC
there the stately palm, the fragrant mag
nolia and other tropical trees are seen.
t Now, almost at the harbor, the noun
tains grandly rise before you clothed t
r their very summit with foliage $50 richl,
/ dark and darkly green;' the clouds tina
2 gather round the lofty peaks seem
sculptured range depending from tn
skies.
, AS the steamer dow Is h0ored lii one o
the finest harbors in South America. jus
leave the ship and come ashore with me
Yonder, some five or six rotas from wher
the steamer lies at anchor, THE stars ant
Z stripes proudly float in the tropica
} breeze. That means the American con